May I introduce...

...Miss Priss!

As much as I would like to say this was my idea, I can not tell a lie! Beth was going to get this dog and then beg forgiveness. I knew it was coming, I just didn't know how I was going to handle it.

So, my thought was to call the girl we were gettin the puppy from and tell her that I would pay for it as a birthday gift. Just tell Beth Happy Birthday from her husband!

Anyway, she has acclimated to the family very well. Chi Chi has not barked at her once, well maybe one time when Prissy was going for Chi Chi's bone!

So, welcome our newest addition!

4th of July 2008

Well I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We did! Beth has been house sitting this week, so RJ and I have been hanging out by ourselves. I will tell you this though, we have had a better time that the last. Boys night out (click here) was not too fun!

Beth cam home around 4 and picked RJ and myself up and we spent the afternoon and evening with some dear friends! We have known Shelia and Todd for exactly 1 year and they are the coolest and best Friends we have right now! Whats real cool is they have a son who is 1 or 2 years older than RJ. If you did not know better, you would think they are twins separated at birth by 2 years!

We cooked out, shot fireworks, swam and played card games all afternoon! In fact if you looked at all the food we had, you would think we were feeding an army. Really, how much food can 3 gastric bypass patients, 1 normal eating adult, and 2 children can eat in one sitting? Not this much, thats for sure!

Anyway, we had a blast..firework joke! And we hope you did too!

A day in the country!

We had a great day on Saturday. My family, almost all of us, went to Ardmore, TN to visit some relatives we had not seen since 2000 when my grandmother died. It was a fun day to reminisce and update each other on how our lives have changed over the years. Can you tell we were in the country? I thought everyone had indoor plumbing by now.

It was also an opportunity to update our 6 month picture (my wife, sister and I). all together we have lost close to 500 pounds in a one year time frame. I think it's a great idea to take pictures of any journey. We do it when we go on vacation. So why not this type of journey also!

Christmas 2007

Easter 2007

June 2008

I did have a "light bulb" moment. You know, when the light bulb goes on and you are illuminated to all that is happening. My Aunt & Uncle wanted to make sure there was plenty of food that my sister, wife and I could eat. All of the sudden, I figured out something that I have known all along, but just now put into play. You see, this surgery I had is a life style change. When you go on a diet, you only try to eat certain types of foods. Or maybe certain foods only, like the dreaded beet diet! I would rather eat dirt than beets! Anyway, I told my Uncle not to worry about us, we would find something to eat, and we did! Every once in a while, even a blind squirrel finds a nut!

We ended the day at the cemetery where a lot of my relatives are buried. I think this is a tradition every time we go to Ardmore. We of course took lots of pictures there also!

It was a very enjoyable day and I hope it's not another 8 years before travel down that long country road!

Pics from Saturdays Walk !

My faithful walking buddy! Chi Chi!

I just thought this was an interesting note about todays society. Why do we hate?

Just a chillin!

Purple Beauties!

A sea serpent in East Nashville? Who would a thunk it!

This rose just found a cool place to grow.

Purple and white!

Just beautiful!

I hope each and everyone of you get out, take a walk, and just enjoy the beauty of your neighborhood!

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival

It’s May in Tennessee and that means just one thing. It’s time for the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. This is the first year that I have attended. Beth and I have wanted to go for years, but because of the weight we carried, we felt we were just unable to make it. Maybe we were just afraid to try. Anyway, today we took to the road with 7 friends and went. All I can say is, WOW, why did we wait so long.


We had a blast! It was a lot of walking but worth every minute! From the moment we arrived at the parking lot, to the moment we left, we were transported to a land of mystery and merriment.

When we exited the car, we ran into a rouge of sword wielding people who could have walked right out of King Arthur’s round table. The sights and sounds of renaissance! Huzzah!

We tried on silly hats, rode man-powered rides, and even attempted archery! It seems everyone else is better at bow and arrows than I! In fact, I even have the bruises and welts on my arm to prove I suck at this sport! But that’s OK. You see, as long as the corner market is still around, I can still place meat on the table.

The jousting match was phenomenal. The knights of Coventry Glenn put on a well rounded performance that made you think the Queen was actually right there!

One of the benefits of weight loss surgery is the return of energy. Without this surgery, I never would have seen my wife at a place the Renfest. In fact, she never slowed down and actually set the pace for the whole day. At times I think I had WLS just so I could keep up with her! LOL! We all know that’s not the reason.

Anyway, we had a blast and plan to return next year! Oh yeah, the big treat of the day…a turkey leg, but that’s a story for the next time!

If you would like to see more of my pics form the festival, click here!

Have a great day!

Like OMG, we survived Prom '08!

Well, I can't believe we survived. If it wasn't for the coffee, I might have gotten in trouble. At least I got my fluids in for the day...8 cups of decaf later! LOL!!

I will say this, it was one of the nicest proms I have been to. Everything was gorgeous. The food was actually WLS friendly. OK, maybe not! But at least I found some chicken tenders that fit the bill. Did I mention the 8 cups of decaf? Just checking! Both Beth and I opted not to go for the chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip cookies, or brownies. See, we can make good choices!

We had tables set up in the corner for the teachers, as well as our own food tables. The speakers were pointed away from the old fogies, at least it wasn't too loud!Now I will say the DJ was pretty cool. He played golden oldies before the prom started, then switched dover to a lot of "bump and grind" music. Now I did not get up to dance. I only got out of my chair for coffee, remember 7 cups! Now, if we had some of our resident table dancers from the Lunch Bunch there, I'm sure the party would have really gotten started!

Anyway, we had a real good time. I will say this, we were a little over dressed, but that was OK!!! They had real good coffee at the Maxwell House. I think the coffee was Folgers! Maybe thats why it was so good!

Here is a comparison picture from prom 9 years ago and now. I think there is a little difference. The pic from last night is a scan of the picture Bill (Susan's husband) did. Thinks for keeping us in your prayers...we survived! Oh, I forgot...Bill did take a picture of us sitting in our chairs...I was drinking coffee !!!!!

Have a good day, I know we had a good night!

Oh the weather outside is.........

.....frightful! but the snow is so delightful! Wouldn't you agree? OK, maybe not! But I love snow! The fraility of it. It's here one minute and gone the next. To me, snow is so clean...but don't eat the yellow stuff! Anyway when snow happens around here, which is rarely, Nashville just shuts down. So, what did I do? Thats right, I pretended I was 10 years old again and played in it. RJ and I had a blast!

~~~~~~~~~

We made snow devils. He refused to make snow angels, he's said that was to childish! What do I know, I'm just papa.

I will tell you this, the weight loss has made these days more enjoyable. I was able to climb a hill after sledding, and was not winded. It took a lot longer for me to say it was time to go in because I was tired. I never got tired, I got COLD!!!!!!

But things change! I realize I am not 10 years old anymore! and at the rate my son is going, he won't be that age for long either!

We went from this...

...to this is less than 6 hours!

At least I've got my pictures to remind me!

Have a great day!

Oh yeah! Mama Jo, this one's for you!